Partnership Specialist, Eastern Canada

Windmill Microlending • Toronto, ON

5d • CA$60,000 - CA$65,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Windmill Microlending is a registered Canadian charity that empowers skilled immigrants and refugees by offering affordable loans, coaching and mentorship to restart their careers in Canada. Since 2005, we have provided over 15,000 loans, helping newcomers triple their incomes. We are proud to be Great Place to Work certified, boasting an 85%+ average employee engagement score driven by a culture of inclusivity, exceptional teamwork and strong leadership.

The national Partnerships Team is tasked with growing a network of external partners that help to grow loan applications from skilled newcomers across the country. Partners are essential to Windmill’s client acquisition strategy, and successful referral partnerships have been developed with educational institutions, settlement agencies, professional associations and corporations. Windmill’s partnership network is essential for building awareness and support for Windmill among key referral communities.

The Partnership Specialist, reporting directly to the Associate Director of Partnerships, will be a key member of the partnership team. This role will be responsible for growing current relationships and establishing new ones to ensure Windmill can support many more skilled immigrants each year. This work will include executing Windmill’s ongoing strategic partnership plan – establishing and growing a referral network of immigrant-serving organizations, learning institutions, regulatory bodies, professional associations, and ethno- and occupation-specific groups. While there is a geographic focus on Eastern Canada (ON, NS, NB, NFL), the position will also represent Windmill nationally and will work collaboratively with the Partnership Team to build referral networks across the country.

Requirements

• Three to five years’ outreach, sales, or public relations experience; post-secondary education in this area is considered an asset.
• Project management software and CRM experience
• Comfortable using common digital media platforms for marketing and outreach.
• Skillful and engaging presenter in English, comfortable speaking to audiences of all sizes at varying stages of the immigration process.
• Familiar with and motivated to help immigrants succeed; experience addressing the labour market integration challenges faced by internationally trained immigrants.
• Proven ability to achieve results and meet deadlines; has strong organizational and problem-solving skills; has a high-energy, self-motivated approach and entrepreneurial attitude.
• Excellent people skills; experienced in collaborating in a multi-disciplinary, diverse and dynamic team nationwide.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities and proposing new ways of creating efficiencies.
• Professionalism in all aspects of work, including writing and in-person communications, with superior attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

• The ability to communicate in French is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Actively connect with referring organizations for prospective loan applicants: Seek out, schedule, and deliver information sessions and/or career planning workshops (in person or virtually) to groups of prospective loan applicants. Seek out and participate in education fairs and industry and community events likely to attract prospective applicants and/or improve Windmill’s community standing with our referral network.
• Keep abreast of the immigrant sector, licensing and training needs and labour market trends to ensure effective targeting of prospective loan applicants.
• Collaborate closely with Windmill's Marketing and Communications teams to develop marketing materials, digital campaigns, media initiatives, and community engagement activities that increase awareness of Windmill's programs and services.
• Maintain and strengthen existing relationships with referral partners and cultivate new partnerships aligned with Windmill’s mission and vision.
• Foster knowledgeability and comfort with Windmill’s loan program amongst organizations in a position to refer eligible immigrants.
• Solicit information about partners’ programs and resources to strengthen the knowledge and responsiveness of Windmill staff in their work with clients.
• Deliver presentations, information sessions, and webinars to prospective and existing partners to build awareness, strengthen relationships, and drive referrals.
• Coordinate with Marketing, Communications, and Development teams to maintain and enhance promotional materials and ensure consistent messaging across partnership initiatives.
• Maintain the integrity of the partnership CRM and database, ensuring accurate, current, and well-organized records of partner contacts, activities, and engagement.
• Produce basic statistical analysis and reports for the management and leadership team as requested.
• Provide administrative support to the Partnerships team, including coordinating logistics, ordering marketing materials, maintaining records, and supporting partnership activities and events.

Benefits

• Three weeks’ vacation, plus a company-wide winter break
• Benefits plan – medical, dental, short & long-term disability, and life insurance
• Annual Wellness Budget to support personal well-being
• Evolving DEI initiatives – our staff is representative of our client base

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed